Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

UFC 171: And the new welterweight king is… Johny Hendricks after an epic battle with Robbie Lawler

"Robbie Lawler is f****** tough," were the first words uttered by Johny Hendricks after an epic battle with his foe in which the Texan, on home soil in Dallas, claimed the UFC welterweight title by unanimous decision 48-47 on all three judges' cards.

UFC 171 was the night of the welterweight division shake-up, and no one missed Georges St Pierre. Lawler and Hendricks, brothers in arms in a battle for the ages.

Hendricks won the first two rounds, Lawler three and four, and it came down to desire and determination in the final stanza. It was absorbing and thrilling to witness.

Nonetheless, the judges' cards were not as straightforward as most observers might have imagined. Judge Doug Crosby scored round two to Hendricks by 10-8, the fifth round 10-10.

It appeared that Lawler may have taken a mental advantage after the weigh-ins when Hendricks shook on the scales, had less time to hydrate, and may have wasted nervous energy. When it came to the fight, though, he was like granite.

Lawler came out to "Beautiful" by Eminem, and a smile so broad bliss surrounded him. He continued to smile until exhaustion overwhelmed that calm visage.

Then Hendricks was out to "$50 and a Flask of Crown" by Bleu Edmondson. They went to the centre, and the dance began.

The feeling out process in the Octagon was intriguing as the fight ensued, and there were very distinct patterns within it.

Both felt their foe’s power early, but Hendricks took round one, more versatile, more landed, more leg kicks, combinations and handspeed. Lawler absorbed everything imperviously.

Arguably, the second round was Hendricks' golden moment in the fight, as he brilliantly switched between kicks, knees and strikes. Lawler, undaunted, pressed forward, and slowed himself in front of Hendricks to draw him into a toe-to-toe encounter. Lawler wanted to roll his shoulder, slip, slide and counter. The jaws both southpaws possess beggars belief.

The third round was utterly absorbing. Lawler’s tactic of standing in front of Hendricks finally paid off, with a great, sustained attack which had Hendricks in deep water, started by Lawler with a left uppercut. Hendricks looked ready to go at one point, but showed a champion’s heart and resolve.

With Hendricks cut and reeling, the third pulled it back for Lawler, and then, similarly, the fourth. It was mesmerising to witness. The entire fight was clean, clinical, and technical.

Lawler – who has turned his career around after a run of 3 wins 5 defeats in one period over three years from 2009 – looked like he was heading towards being the new 170lbs king through those third and fourth rounds. Still in great condition, it looked as if Hendricks could not break him.

When these two quiet warrior souls, burning inside, came out for the fifth, it was already a classic fight. Round 5 would decide the new UFC welterweight champion post-GSP.

Hendricks seized that fifth stanza like he’d been thrown a lifeline in a dangerous sea.

Lawler threw and landed a great left cross. The round was his early on. Then they tied up, good takedown defence shown by Lawler.

At close quarters, Knees were used ruthlessly and efficiently by Hendricks in the clinch; the response was punches from Lawler, then two great left hands from the Texan.

Then the dam broke. A series of left hands finally staggered Lawler, and exhausted, he slumped back against the Octagon fence. It was a great attack by Hendricks, perfectly timed, and then he managed a simple takedown; a clever decision on instinct, because he was exhausted himself.

Lawler was pinned, and with less than a minute remaining, Lawler had not the strength or ability to escape Hendricks’ grip on the title as he saw the seconds ticking down on a giant screen across from him. Great contest, sport at its best, shifting patterns and two great warriors at the peak of their powers. The kind of fight you can watch again and again and again.

UFC President Dana White said afterwards: “That’s one of the greatest fights. Those guys stood in there and traded. I had it two-two going into the last round."

"In the fifth round it was Robbie’s fight to win or lose. He got caught and lost it. But I’d say there’s no loser in this fight – it was an awesome fight.”

Looking ahead, White spoke of the future of Nick Diaz on FOX Sports: “Nick was there heckling Hendricks the whole fight. He hasn’t talked to me about fighting.”

And on GSP, he added: “This whole thing got blown out of proportion. He’s got personal problems and when he gets them handled, he’ll be back. He never said he was retiring.”

Tyron Woodley defeated Carlos Condit who sustained a knee injury in the second round of their fight.

“I heard him say something when I took him down. He was complaining on about the knee. When he got back up I targeted it. I didn’t know which knee so I kicked at both and I hit the right spot eventually," said Woodley. "It was time to get him out of there. Very glad I got the win and all the best to Carlos. Hope he’s back in there soon!”

Condit said: “Worst possible scenario having injuries like that. I felt something in my knee earlier on in the fight off a takedown. When he hit me with the kick it didn’t hurt at first. I went to check it and the knee just kind of stayed when I twisted around. That’s when I really felt it go. I don’t know what else to say. It sucks.”

It remains to be seen whether Woodley will face Hendricks next for the belt.

Hector Lombard defeated Jake Shields in a slow, laborious contest in which he caught Shields with heavy shots, but could do little when the American dragged it to the ground.

“I’m not very happy with my performance. A win is a win no matter what but I just fought too safe. I blew him up with some big punches early and I felt dominant throughout. I could’ve given more in the third round. The guillotine was loose, he was just trying anything to win the fight in the closing seconds. I wasn’t in any real danger.”

Shields explained: “Frankly I’m embarrassed by my performance tonight. Hector was really strong out there and he caught me with some big shots early. He paced himself and fought smart. The choke was really deep at the end and I was going for broke but the clock worked against me.”